Episode 9: Birdcage

The episode opens on Amon's early days at the CCG, when Arima introduces him to his new partner, Mado. Their first case targets the Applehead ghoul, and Amon is stunned that the suspect appears to be a harmless elderly woman named Kie. Her medical records read as ordinary, and Mado explains such documents are easily faked, assuring his uneasy junior it all fits his plan. When Amon later helps Kie with her luggage, she reveals herself as the ghoul and attacks, and Mado arrives to save him.

In the present, Amon runs into Yukinori Shinohara on his way to visit Mado's grave. The CCG readies its operation in the neighboring ward and brings Takizawa and Houji in to cover the 20th Ward during the shift in forces.

Life at Anteiku slowly returns to routine despite the loss. The staff welcomes a new pet, Hetare, and Hinami begins living with Touka. Chasing information about Rize, Kaneki visits Itori, who can only tell him that Rize came from the 11th Ward and advises him to look there. Kaneki mentions to Hide that he was pickpocketed on his way home, unaware the thief was Juuzou Suzuya.

News reports announce a CCG deployment to the ward in response to rising ghoul activity, and Hide shares his theory about an organized ghoul group operating locally. The Anteiku staff worry over an aggressive faction killing investigators. Meanwhile Hide, drinking coffee, overhears Yamori and Nico discussing Rize, and Banjou arrives in the ward searching for her, while Ayato prepares to join the newcomers.

The episode adapts chapters 29, 47, 48, and 70. It reframes Mado's history through Amon's memories and seeds the arrival of the Aogiri Tree organization into the ward.